Navigating Psychology Jobs and Internship Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide

An internship can be a valuable learning experience that enhances your degree in psychology. This article provides general information on psychology jobs and earning credit for an internship in psychology.

The Value of Psychology Internships

Undergraduate psychology internships can enrich your learning and help build your network. These experiences create an avenue for pursuing your personal learning interests, building your network, and laying the foundation for a successful job search.

For many students, working in a professor’s lab serves as an alternative to an off-campus internship. Although not all programs require an internship to graduate, it is still the perfect opportunity for you to develop skills in the workplace. Depending on the university, internships may also be a way to gain academic credits.

An internship is an opportunity for you to train while under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. While class time and book learning are of course very important, internships help students develop the necessary skills to be ready for work in the field. During your internship, you may work with clients with or without direct supervision.

Benefits of a Psychology Internship

Psychology internships allow you to apply your theoretical learning, connecting with other members of the psychology community, and gaining firsthand insights from working professionals. Undergraduate psychology internships may provide guidance if you are unsure of which path to take in your future studies or career. “[An internship] can help identify populations that the student may want to work with or not want to work with,” said Melissa Meade, a mental health counselor specializing in dance and movement therapy. Additionally, internship experience can make students more marketable when searching for jobs, said Dr. Jeanne Slattery, a professor of psychology and a licensed psychologist.

Skills Gained in a Psychology Internship

The skills you build in an undergraduate psychology internship can prove valuable as you transition from school to the workforce. “Because internships take many different forms and students enter internships with many different skills and needs, there will be a wide range of skills obtained,” Slattery said. “I encourage my students to talk with their internship supervisor about goals and expectations from early in their internship.” Psychology internships can help you build a variety of important field-specific skills.

Key examples include:

Professional Practices: Some placements offer direct insights into the professional practices psychologists use with respect to client assessments and diagnostics, case management, therapeutic techniques, documentation, and administration. You can also participate in research internships, which can enhance your scientific literacy and help you learn how experts design experiments.
Empathy: Empathy is a critical skill for psychology practitioners, and internship settings can give you helpful insights into its professional value. “The student can learn how to deal with his/her emotions in response to the clients/patients,” Meade said. “Students may not expect the depth of response they may have when working with people.”
Active Listening: Psychology professionals must have well-developed active listening skills, especially those in licensed, client-facing roles. Active listening involves authentic engagement with the speaker, a foundational element of effective dialogue. The earlier you develop this important skill, the more proficient you will become.
Interpersonal Communication: Effective communication lies at the core of many psychology-related career paths. You will likely encounter many different personality types during your career, and having adaptable and versatile interpersonal communication skills will serve you well.
Analytical Skills: As an intern, you can have a unique window into the analytical techniques and strategies psychology professionals use to navigate work-related challenges. This can help you better understand how classroom-based theory translates into practice in real-world environments.

Earning Credit for a Psychology Internship

A credit-bearing internship in Psychology has two components: (a) an approved internship placement, and (b) an approved academic component. The primary criteria for an internship placement are that you will be doing work that is closely related to psychology, and that you will be supervised (and trained, as needed) by someone with a professional background related to psychology. Work that is primarily clerical, even if it is for an organization that provides mental health services, is not sufficient.

It may be possible to earn credit for PSYCH 295 or 495 (you must have 5th-semester standing or higher for PSYCH 495), which requires an academic component (reading and writing) in addition to work at the internship site. Some internships require that you be registered for credit, though many do not. Please note that an internship is not required for the PSYBA or PSYBS degrees offered at University Park and through World Campus.

The Academic Plan

The academic plan is a document with 3 components:

A description (2 or 3 paragraphs) of the work you will be doing, that makes clear how it is psychological in nature.
A list of readings drawn from the scholarly literature of psychology (for example, research articles on the disorders you will be observing or on the effectiveness of various treatment approaches; a good resource is the PsycInfo database available through the University Libraries web site).
A statement of the written work you will submit.

All materials should be submitted to Dr. You may want to discuss appropriate readings or submit a draft plan for comments. A minimum of 5-6 journal articles and a term paper of 10-12 pages are appropriate for a 3-credit internship. Registration is by permission only (you can’t do it through eLion), and will be handled for you once these materials have been submitted and approved. You must be registered prior to beginning the internship (only hours completed after you have registered may be counted).

Types of Internship Placements

The Psychology Department does not maintain a list of available internships, though occasionally opportunities are distributed through our undergraduate listserv. Internship positions are usually located in settings related to clinical or counseling psychology, or industrial/organizational psychology.

Students should be aware that clinically oriented internships do NOT allow undergraduate students to practice actual psychotherapy. Some clinical internships involve sitting in on therapists’ sessions.
Other internships (which might be labeled “clinical”) exist in a variety of social service agencies. In these internships, students usually work with children, mental health patients, or clients with special needs.
Industrial/organizational internships are often in human resource offices or other corporate settings. A phone call may be sufficient to learn whether an organization can provide an internship.

Steps to Secure an Internship and Credit

In order to verify that the internship qualifies for psychology credit, prepare a description of the work you will be doing, how you will be trained and supervised, and why you think the internship is psychological in nature. If available, it is helpful to include a link the organization’s web site.
If the internship is approved as appropriate for psychology credit, prepare a written academic plan as described above.
Have your supervisor at the internship site sign the internship form. Complete the requested information, sign the form yourself, and submit. Hard copy forms may be submitted to 125 Moore Building.

Some internships may have other requirements, such as clearances, immunizations, liability insurance, or special affiliation agreements. If you are planning an internship that requires an affiliation agreement with Penn State (common for hospital settings), please be aware that such agreements must be approved by the University’s legal services department. Such approvals can take a long time (sometimes several months), so plan accordingly.

If you have questions, please contact the Psychology internship coordinator, Dr.

Internship Programs

Internships are one of the hallmarks of our Psychology and Child Development programs and are typically completed during senior year. We require two quarters of internship in which the student earns credit toward their major. Each quarter of internship, students spend 120 hours gaining learn-by-doing experiences working within a fieldwork site or faculty research lab. Students maintain weekly contact with a faculty supervisor, and provide written reflections in which they connect their experiences to research and theory in the fields of psychology and child development. Students gain experience working within local social service and governmental agencies, schools, businesses, and other organizations.

Internships are typically done in a student's senior year (rarely, junior year) after they have taken PSY 323: Helping Relationships. Qualified students interested in research experience may find opportunities to work within faculty research labs. These positions are limited. Arranging a research internship is initiated by the student, usually by the end of Junior year. Interested students will need to talk to individual faculty members about availability of research assistant positions. Research internships can count as one or both of the required internship experiences (CD/PSY 448 or CD/PSY 449).

Finding a Psychology Internship

Finding the right psychology internship depends on a series of factors, first and foremost being the goal of the internship. Think about what your program is expecting of you in order to graduate as well as which experiences are most important to you as a student. Once the internship goals are defined, the next step is to decide where it will take place. Location is a critical aspect in the process of finding the right internship as it can determine travel, costs to possibly relocate, living expenses, commute, etc.

Your school can help you find an undergraduate psychology internship, but you can also self-direct your search. Check with human services organizations in your area, including:

Psychiatric institutions and community mental health groups
Substance use rehabilitation centers
Regular hospitals and hospice facilities
Social services for specific population groups, such as children, youth, and women

Social and professional networking platforms can also help you source opportunities. However, be mindful of some limitations that may apply - especially for placements at organizations with limited funding. “Nonprofit organizations will likely want help, but may have limited opportunities to work with professionals as guides or mentors,” Meade said.

When to Start Looking for a Psychology Internship

Undergraduate psychology internships generally carry the most value when you have already built a base of relevant theoretical knowledge. Your junior or senior year is the ideal time to start looking, especially if you plan to enter the job market immediately after graduation. However, as Slattery noted, you can start volunteering before seeking out an internship placement. Also, consider the relationship between proper timing and placement success. “I would start looking for placements the semester before it is required,” Meade said. “If it is not required, I would start in the early spring to look for something in the summer.”

Advice for Students Seeking Psychology Internships

If you want to pursue an undergraduate psychology internship and you need more help than your school can provide, try these strategies:

Use your networks: “Networking with friends and family members to identify local options,” said Slattery. People you know - even if they are not directly involved in psychology - may be valuable sources of help. Meade also suggested using social media networks to research potential internship locations and opportunities.
Ask your professors: If you study on campus, visit your professors during their office hours to discuss your internship aspirations. Professors often have professional contacts beyond your school, which can help you find opportunities that you otherwise may not have learned about.
Look beyond your department: Schools usually have a career services department, which may have additional internship resources you can use. As Slattery notes, some institutions also have a dedicated internship coordinator. Take advantage of these services: They are there to help you.
Contact organizations yourself: Meade has some advice for students who cannot find listed opportunities at a preferred internship site: “Ask! Call and make appointments with several organizations you found,” Meade advised. “Don’t get discouraged if a few aren’t interested. Keep asking. You will find a place that is right for you.”
Talk to professionals: Identify and contact any psychology professionals you would like to work with and those affiliated with organizations you have unsuccessfully applied to. These professionals may have, or know of, other opportunities.

Things to Consider When Seeking an Undergraduate Psychology Internship

Once you identify an undergraduate psychology internship opportunity you would like to pursue, pause to review the next steps as you prepare for the application process.

Review Your Department’s Internship Policy: Before working on your application, ensure the potential placement aligns with your school or department’s internship policies. This is particularly important if you are pursuing a placement the school has not already vetted. Consider whether the internship directly involves applied psychology concepts, whether the internship is paid or unpaid, who will supervise your work, and whether they have adequate qualifications, and whether the start and end dates align with your academic calendar. If you need help evaluating an opportunity from these angles, contact an internship coordinator, one of your professors, or another faculty member from your psychology department.
Understand the Application Process: If you source the internship opportunity from a posted notice, the posting should specify details of the application process. Application requirements may be less obvious if you arrange the opportunity yourself. In either case, clear up any doubts by asking. The application process will generally involve preparing and submitting a resume and a personalized cover letter. Your letter should contain your major (and minor, if you have one), your primary academic or research interest(s) within psychology, and any matching volunteer, work, or academic experiences you have.
Clarify Expectations: During your internship interview or before your start date, you should understand precisely what your internship provider will expect of you. Clarify the scope of your duties and responsibilities, your working days and times, whether the opportunity requires any specific hard skills, and whether a dress code or personal code of conduct applies. Internship opportunities will often come with a written offer letter specifying these details. You can request a written offer if one is not already provided.

Errors to Avoid in Your Application

After researching and choosing the place to do the internship, the nest step is to apply. Even if your program requires you to do an internship, that does not guarantee that you will be accepted! It all comes down to your application. Errors are often caused by not reading carefully. Rather than gloss over your studies, research or previous workplaces, it is essential to detail what you have done. Copying the previous application could save some work, but at the same time, it could also create more problems than it’s worth.

Psychology Jobs and Licensure Requirements

Steps to Licensure

Take and pass the EPPP.
Take and pass the CPLEE.
Request Initial Licensure after qualifying post-doctoral supervised professional experience.

Supervised Professional Experience (SPE)

What are the requirements for supervised professional experience? You must complete 3,000 hours of supervised professional experience (SPE), 1,500 of which must be accrued post-doctorally.
Supervised professional experience may begin only after you have met all the requirements for the doctoral degree.
Every trainee must maintain a written weekly log of all hours of supervised professional experience worked toward licensure that is signed by the primary and any delegated supervisor on a weekly basis. The log must be available to the Board of Psychology upon request. Specific information is required to be provided on the log pursuant to the regulations [CCR 1387.5].
Once supervised professional experience is concluded, the primary supervisor must complete a verification of experience under penalty of perjury. Specific information is required to be provided on the verification pursuant to the regulations. The form must be sealed and signed across the envelope by the primary supervisor for submission by the trainee.

Additional Requirements

Submit fingerprints.
Request official transcripts from all schools, colleges, or universities where you completed coursework required for licensure to be sent directly from the academic institution to the Board. If you have completed a doctoral program in psychology from a foreign university, you must arrange to have your transcripts evaluated by an agency approved by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) to be sent directly to the Board.
Candidates have 2.5 hours to complete the examination.
If you began graduate training before December 31, 2003, a minimum of two (2) contact hours in spousal or partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies is required.

Additional Information

To submit fingerprints, request a Live Scan form to take to a Live Scan site.
To submit a request for "hard cards," please contact the Board.
Specific submission instructions for the necessary documents to support your application are available.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is required for licensure.
Licensed psychologists must complete 36 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) every two years. This requirement can be met using any combination of CPD categories.
Four hours of the 36-hour CPD requirement must be in ethics, and four hours must be in laws and regulations that apply to the practice of Psychology.
Two hours must be related to suicide risk assessment and management. This requirement applies to all licensed psychologists.
All licensed psychologists must report their Address of Record (AOR) and a confidential address. The address of record is the address that will be given to anyone who calls to verify their license. You may use a business address or a post office box as your address of record. If your AOR is a P.O. box, you must provide a physical address (business or residential) as the confidential address.

APA Internship Application Portal

The APA Internship Application Portal is open for remote paid and academic credit internships. APA internships may be considered for remote work eligibility as defined in APA’s Flexible Work Policy and are subject to approval. NOTE: At this time, APA has decided not to register as an employer in any foreign country.

The internship program is housed within the Education Directorate, whose goals are “to enhance the quality of teaching and learning outcomes, meet the demands of a multiracial society through education and training, and increase financial and policy support for education and training.” You will work in a non-profit membership association with over 157,000+ members. This program is designed for students who are passionate about psychology and applying psychological knowledge to benefit society and improve people’s lives.

We have a variety of positions (i.e., policy, research, communications, operations, publishing, education) available to fit individual interests within APA. Learning outcomes will vary throughout departments and offices. Interns will have an opportunity to participate in a variety of activities within their office that will apply theoretical knowledge to practice and foster a better understanding of a workplace environment in professional psychology. Interns will report directly to their supervisor for daily tasks and support for overall learning objectives.

Students selected for internships at APA will have the opportunity to take part in additional programming and activities. This allows interns to go more in-depth with topics relevant to young professionals in psychology. APA offers year-round (spring, summer, fall, winter) internships.

For students under the age of 18, an official District of Columbia Work Permit must be submitted with your application. Additional information about the D.C. Academic credit (unpaid): Requires a cover letter, resume, and (depending on the internship) a writing sample. If selected, you will be required to submit a letter from your institution on academic institution letterhead. Interested students can apply for up to three internships only. A separate application is required for each internship. Please note that we are unable to acknowledge each applicant; only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted by the hiring manager. The American Psychological Association is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Additional Internship Opportunities

Various positions are posted from time to time, including opportunities to make a difference in education or work with children with ADHD and related challenges.

Student Resources

The following resources may assist your search for an undergraduate psychology internship or provide helpful insights into the internship process:

APA Undergraduate Research and Internships Page: The American Psychological Association (APA) lists available research programs and internship opportunities for undergraduates. The APA’s education and career page may also list some internship opportunities.
Internships in Psychology: This comprehensive APA-backed manual can help you navigate the application and internship evaluation processes. It is geared more toward graduate students, but upper-year undergraduates may also benefit from its contents.
NASP School Psychology Internship Toolkit: The National Association of School Psychologists publishes helpful internship guidance for students interested in school psychologist careers.
Psi Chi Internship Resources: Psi Chi is an international honor society for psychology students. It offers comprehensive information and resources for undergraduate students seeking internship placements.
Society for Personality and Social Psychology Career Guidance Portal: SPSP’s Career Guidance resources are available to students and undergraduates transitioning into psychology careers.

Considerations for Paid vs. Unpaid Internships

One of the aspects that can influence choosing an internship is whether it is paid or not. A paid internship may sound attractive initially as the student may see it as a source of income while working, but just because an internship is remunerated does not mean it is better. Unsalaried training also has a series of advantages, and one of these is that you can focus purely on the learning environment. Both paid and unpaid internships may offer excellent long-term growth opportunities. This can be in private companies, educational settings, or the government sector.

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